Lady Yewande Fernandez, or Yeye as she was affectionately known, prided herself on maintaining an air of poise and composure, regardless of the situation. But tonight, as she entertained the Pedro family in the lavish sitting room of their Banana Island mansion, she couldn't help but feel the creeping tendrils of anxiety gnawing at her calm exterior. It was already past seven, and there was still no sign of Magnus. His absence was not only conspicuous but also deeply troubling.
As she ensured that the Pedros were comfortably settled with an array of refreshments, Yeye flashed them a polite smile. "Please, make yourselves at home. I'll be back shortly," she said, excusing herself with a graceful nod before heading toward the grand staircase that led to her private quarters.
The moment she reached the sanctuary of her room, Yeye felt her carefully maintained facade begin to crack. Her heart raced with a mix of worry and frustration. Magnus should have been home by now, playing the role expected of him. The dinner had been meticulously planned, and his presence was crucial—not just as a son, but as the future head of the Fernandez family.
With trembling hands, Yeye picked up her phone and quickly dialed Magnus's number, her fingers tapping impatiently against the bedside table as she waited for him to pick up. The sound of the ringing phone seemed to stretch on interminably, amplifying her irritation with each passing second. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she heard the familiar click of the line connecting.
"Hello! Mum?" Magnus's voice came through, casual and indifferent, as if he had no idea of the significance of the evening.
"Magnus, where are you?" Yeye demanded, her voice low but laced with the sharp edge of reprimand. "Don't tell me you've forgotten we're having the Pedros over for dinner tonight. If you know what's good for you, find your way home this minute."
There was a brief pause on the other end, and Yeye could almost hear Magnus weighing his response. "Okay, Mum, I'll be there soon," he finally replied, his tone steady but noncommittal.
Yeye didn't bother with pleasantries. She hung up the phone with a deep exhale, willing herself to regain her composure. She couldn't afford to let her guests sense her anxiety. The Pedros were not just any guests—they were a family of equal standing, and this dinner was more than a mere social obligation. It was a crucial step in cementing the bond between two powerful families, and Magnus's role in this was non-negotiable.
As she descended the staircase, Yeye's mind raced. **He'll come through,** she told herself, even as doubt lingered at the edges of her thoughts. **He has to.**
The sound of an approaching car finally broke the tense silence of the evening. Yeye felt a surge of relief as she heard the familiar hum of the engine—a signal that Magnus had arrived. She hurried down the last few steps, just in time to see her son enter the house.
Magnus stepped inside, his face a mask of unreadable calm. Without missing a beat, he lowered himself to the floor in a deep prostration, a gesture of respect that was deeply ingrained in his upbringing. "Good evening, sir. Good evening, ma," he said, his voice steady and respectful as he greeted the Pedros.
Steven Pedro, visibly impressed by the display, exchanged a pleased glance with his wife, Emily. "Good boy, very respectful," Steven remarked, his voice filled with approval. "We're lucky to have such a respectful son-in-law."
Emily Pedro nodded in agreement, her smile warm and sincere. "Yes, we are indeed fortunate," she added, clearly pleased by Magnus's demonstration of cultural respect.
Yeye, watching the interaction, felt a wave of relief wash over her. Magnus had done what was expected of him, and for the moment, all seemed well. She offered her son a small, approving nod, her eyes conveying a silent message: *You've done well this time. Don't disappoint me again.*
Magnus stood up from his prostration and joined the group, taking a seat beside his father, Adekunle Fernandez. Adekunle acknowledged his son with a curt nod, his expression as unreadable as ever. The initial tension of Magnus's late arrival seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more relaxed atmosphere as the conversation resumed.
But despite the outward calm, Magnus couldn't shake the sense of discomfort that gnawed at him. He participated in the polite conversation, answering questions when addressed, but his mind was elsewhere. The expectations of the evening weighed heavily on him, the Pedro family's warm reception only serving to highlight the complexity of his feelings. This was more than just another business deal or social engagement—this was about his future, a future that had been laid out for him without his input.
Across the room, Folashade sat with her family, her heart fluttering with a mix of excitement and nerves. Every now and then, she stole glances at Magnus, her gaze filled with hope and longing. But Magnus seemed oblivious, his focus elsewhere, and she quickly looked away, forcing a smile to her lips as she tried to mask her disappointment.
Yeye, ever observant, noticed the way Folashade's eyes lingered on her son. She could see the affection in the girl's gaze, the way she hung on Magnus's every word, even if he spoke only sparingly. Yeye could only hope that, in time her son will come to appreciate and fully accept Folashade as his wife.